Date of Publication

Winter 1-23-2019

Abstract

Introduction

• The VT General Assembly includes 180 legislators: 150 representatives and 30 senators

• State legislators have substantial power to create opioid-related policies

• During the 2017-18 VT legislative session 22 opioid related bills were introduced and 9 were passed

• No data currently exist on how VT legislators gather information and formulate public health decisions regarding opioid policies

Purpose

• Examine VT legislators’ understanding of the opioid epidemic

• Identify what drives legislators to draft legislation, including beliefs, priorities, and voting decisions

• Inform health and human services professionals to best respond to legislators’ knowledge gaps and continuing education needs

Advisor(s)

Charles MacLean

UVM Larner College of Medicine

Jan Carney

UVM Larner College of Medicine

Elizabeth Cote

UVM AHEC Program

Agency

University of Vermont Area Health Education Centers Program

Subjects

Access to Health Services, Health-Related Quality of Life & Well-Being, Substance Abuse, Educational and Community-Based Programs, Social Determinants of Health

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 License

Vermont Legislators' Opinions Regarding the Opioid Epidemic
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